Balcony railing assemblies of extruded metal

ABSTRACT

A metallic railing assembly, comprised of vertical posts, horizontal rails and pickets of extruded aluminum or alloys thereof, which are interconnected by means of bolts and screw fasteners without welding procedures. Splines of special and simple construction, which are severed from a length of extruded alloy, are affixed to the posts to provide a secure support for the ends of the rails to transmit the horizontal loadings to the anchored vertical posts, without loosening any of the component parts.

United States Patent 1 1 Maxcy et al.

[4 1 Apr. 22, 1975 BALCONY RAILING ASSEMBLIES OF EXTRUDED METAL [75]Inventors: Frederic R. Maxcy, Ellicott City:

Richard A. Hubbard, Severna Park. both of Md.

[73] Assignee: W-T Industries, Inc., Baltimore.

[22] Filed: June 19, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 371,384

[52] US. Cl 256/65; 256/22 [51] Int. Cl E04h 17/14 [58] Field of Search256/65 59, 21, 22, 66-70, 256/24 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,930.638 3/l960 Morrissey 256/65 UX 3.02l.l l5 2/l962 Dake256/65 3.240.298 3/l966 Pcrsson 52/758 H X 3,246,879 4/l966 Case et al.256/65 X 3.261.625 7/i966 Cripc 52/758 H 3.304.683 2/1967 Ferrcira256/65 X 3.353853 11/1967 Heywood 256/65 X 3.389.930 6/1968 Ashworth etal. 52/758 H FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1.570.598 5/1969 France256/l3.l 819,147 10/1951 Germany 256/65 Primary E.\aminerDennis L.Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Samuel Lebowitz [57] ABSTRACT A metallicrailing assembly, comprised of vertical posts, horizontal rails andpickets of extruded aluminum or alloys thereof, which are interconnectedby means of bolts and screw fasteners without welding procedures.Splines of special and simple construction, which are severed from alength of extruded alloy, are aftixed to the posts to provide a securesupport for the ends of the rails to transmit the horizontal loadings tothe anchored vertical posts, without loosening any of the componentparts.

15 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures F'i-JENTEEAFRZZEYS SHEET 2 [IF 3 BALCONYRAILING ASSEMBLIES OF EXTRUDED METAL This invention relates to aluminumrailing systems and more particularly to railings formed of extrudedaluminum components which may be combined in unique architecturaldesigns to create distinctive and structurally sound arrangements.

It is the object of the present invention to provide aluminum railingsystems composed of extruded aluminum sections which are rugged andeconomical in design. and which may be assembled with minimal laborcosts to produce structural units of maximum safety.

It is another object of the invention to provide especially strongmechanical connections between vertical posts of a rail assembly and therails extending therebetween which are easily adapted to the use ofeither picket elements or panels of solid or reticulated sheet material.The resulting assemblies. in addition to presenting pleasingarchitectural effects. are characterized by a high factor of safety.which is a very important consideration in view of the wide use of suchrailings on balconies in modern high-rise building constructions.

It is another object of the invention to provide spline connectionsbetween vertical posts and horizontal rails by providing a strongtamper-proof connection for transferring horizontal loads to highstrength vertical posts. without need for any welding procedures atthese joints. The joints between the posts and the picket rails aremaintained in tight connection without loosening therebetween in thecourse of time.

It is also the object of the invention to provide tight connectionsbetween picket rails and the pickets integrated therewith by simplemetal bending operations. without welding or soldering.

Other objects and purposes will appear from the detailed description ofthe invention following hereinafter. taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. wherein FIG. I is a perspective view of a railingsystem for building balconies, patios. porches or other enclosures.showing vertical pickets at one part thereof and panels of sheetmaterial at other parts thereof:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the continuous length of extrudedaluminum wherefrom is cut the spline segments for mounting on verticalposts;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a corner post of square cross-sectionshowing one end of a horizontal rail affixed thereto in a mannerindicated by the phantom view of the components adapted to be afixed tothe adjacent face of the corner post. for supporting the end of anotherrail;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, with certain parts in elevation.of the completed connections of the horizontal rails to the corner postshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of an intermediate post. with thespline segments connected to the opposite faces thereof. for supportingthe horizontal rail sections adapted to extend from the opposite facesof the post;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a continuousaluminum extrusion wherefrom is cut spline segments for mounting on thevertical posts;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view. with certain parts in elevation.of a vertical post which supports spline segments of the typeillustrated in FIG. 6, at the right portion. and a spline as shown inthe preceding figures. in dotted lines. in the left portion. forsupporting panels extending in obtuse directions;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view along line 8-8 of FIG. 1.illustrating the mounting of a panel between the intermediate and bottomrails of the railing section in the right portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a picket rail assembly along line9-9 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 10 to I3 are sectional views of different extruded metal picketsof rectangular outline. each comprising two parallel sides displacedfrom each other;

FIG. I4 is aside elevation of the picket shown in FIG. 9. illustratingthe ends thereof:

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the mode ofinterconnecting verticalpickets of the type shown in FIG. 10. with a picket rail as shown at thebottom of FIG. 9: and

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view along line l6 16 of FIG. 9.

In the drawings is shown a metallic railing system for enclosingbalconies. porches. patios and the like. the components of which areformed of metallic extrusions of aluminum or other ductile metals. Thefabricated extruded aluminum sections. especially the supporting postsand rails. are assembled quickly with bolt and screw fasteners. with theelimination of welding procedures and the consequent labor costs. Thefasteners which are employed in the railing system in accordance withthe invention are fabricated of aluminum or stainless steel to eliminateany corrosive effects resulting from outdoor exposure.

The alloys which are employed are generally designated in the industryas 6063 TS. 6005 T5. or 606l T6. and these may be fabricated for bothanodized and painted finishes. The castings employed in the system arefabricated of alloy 214 or 356.

As shown in FIG. 1. the railing system in accordance with the inventionlends itself for construction on a balcony floor F of concrete. which isprepared for mounting the railing system in accordance with theinvention by providing cupped openings at predetermined points of thefloor. of a depth of approximately 4 inches. and 3 inches in diameter.for receiving a hardenable cement or other mixtures to securely fix theseveral vertical supporting posts within the floor at displaced pointsalong the latter.

As shown in the drawing. the railing comprises a corner post P at oneend of the floor for mounting vertically displaced horizontal picketrails R which extend in directions perpendicular to each other. andintermediate posts P for supporting horizontal picket rails in oppositedirections along the length of the balcony. The particular contour ofthe balcony floor accommodates a pair of intermediate posts P" whichsupport intermediate and bottom rails which extend at obtuse angles ofl35 in order to' complete the enclosure of the railing system. The endposts p adjacent to the building are set within the floor and areaffixed to the building wall in a manner well known in the art and arefitted with spline connections to support the rail terminals in the samemanner as the latter are supported in the balance of the balcony system.

The rugged and strong connection between the end posts. corner posts andintermediate posts. and the horizontal picket rails which extendtherebetween. is attained by the provision of special spline segments ofextruded aluminum which are produced in continuous lengths and shearedinto segments of predetermined depth for secure mounting against one ormore faces of the vertical posts. whereupon they serve as supports forthe ends of the picket rails. Thus. in FIG. 2 is shown the extrudedaluminum splines S which may be cut from a length of extruded aluminumalloy of 20 feet. into indi vidual lengths L. for mounting on one ormore faces of the extruded aluminum posts. which are suitably reenforcedby internal webs. and which are formed with longitudinal slots forpermitting the mounting of the splines at desired points along thelength thereofv In addition. both the splines and posts are extrudedwith integral open cylindrical channels of curved crosssection. whichserve as arcuate openings for receiving self-tapping screws for affixingthe additional components of the assembly cooperating therewith.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lengths L may be five-eights inch. and areadapted to be cut and set into the position shown in FIG. 3 by seatingthe face 3 thereof against the face 10 of the post P containing the slot14 extending longitudinally thereof along its medial axis. Thecross-section of the post P is preferably square. 2 inches on each side.with the slots on the faces 10 and 10 being approximatelyfive-sixteenths inch in width. The face 3 is provided with ribs 2 at thecentral portion thereof in order to guide the seating of the spline Swithin the longitudinal slots extending along the central axes of thefaces 10 and 10'.

Each spline is formed with a channel 4 on the face thereof opposite theseating face 3, and enlargements 5 extending from each side thereofproject outwardly from the center of the spline to the flanges 6wherefrom the overhangs 7 are contoured to form curved channels 8,8.These channels are in the form of open cylindrical passges of metal ofapproximately 300. An open sector of about 60, permits easy extrusionwhile leaving about 300 as a screw boss for engagement with the threadedbits ofthe screw fasteners. Thus. there is present sufficient metal toform a biting engagement with fastening screws 27, which extend throughpunched openings 26 in the horizontal rail R. to affix the latter to thesupporting face 1 of the spline after it is rigidly fastened to thesupporting post.

The splines S may be fastened to the posts in different wa 's.

'l he preferred mode of attachment of the splines is shown in FIGS. 3and 4. In this embodiment the spline element is bored mid-way of itslength in the channeled groove 4 to permit a bolt 22 to be extendedtherethrough with the interposition of a washer 21 spanning theshoulders 5,5 of the spline. The spline is seated at the mid-portion ofthe face 10 of the corner post P by means of the ribs 2 which engage theedges of the longitudinal slot 14 at the center of the post 10. A nut 23of stainless steel. having a threaded central opening 24, is disposed inthe interior of the post behind the longitudinal slot 14 for receivingthe threaded end of the bolt 22. and the surface 25 adjacent the slot isroughened by serrations, knurling and the like. so that the relativeturning of the bolt within the nut effects a secure connection betweenthe spline member and the post. leaving the main portion of the splinewith its top susrface 1 in position to support the end of the rail Rthereon. The rail R, which is also formed of extruded aluminum. may havethe openings 26 bored therein at the factory. for these, of necessity,must be in alignment with cylindrical passages or screw bosses 8,8 inthe spline. to interconnect the rail with the post.

As stated above. the extruded aluminum post P may be 2 inches square incross-section. with the spline surface 1 being slightly shorter in orderto enable the picket rail to be supported by the spline with the outersurface of the rail disposed in a common plane with the adjacent face ofthe post.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a second picket rail R may be affixed to theface 10 of the corner post, provided with a longitudinal slot 14 by asecond bolt 22 with the washer 21 on the outer side of the spline, andthe threaded nut 23 on the interior of the post for interconnecting theother rail section R in the direction perpendicular to the first, withthe outer faces of the rails coincident with the smooth faces 11 and 12of the corner post P.

The extrusion of the corner post P is designed to provide opencylindrical channels 16 at different parts thereof in order toaccommodate screw fasteners for top clips and top rails for the post.These serve the additional function of reenforcing the core of the postin conjunction with the reenforcing webs 15 which extend therethroughbetween the different faces of the post.

In the case of the intermediate posts P, individual bolt fasteners foraffixing the individual splines S to the opposite faces of the posts maybe employed in the same manner illustrated in FIG. 4 for the individualmounting of the splines on the faces 10 and 10' extendingperpendicularly to each other. On the other hand. a single bolt may beemployed to connect the splines to the opposite faces of the post P asshown in FIG. 5. The medial reenforcing web 35 of the post P is drilledat 36 to accomodate a long bolt 32 having a head 37 at one end andthreads 38 at the opposite end. so that the bolt can be passed throughone of the splines and reenforcing web 35 through the opposite wall ofthe post and the spline device at the opposite end. whereat it isengaged by the fastening nut 34 with the washer 33 adjacent it. Thus. asingle bolt and nut serves to interconnect the post with two splines forsupporting the picket rails extending from the opposite faces of thepost, which are fastened thereto by self-tapping screws engagingopenings 8 and 8', similar to those shown in F IG. 2.

The intermediate post P is similarly extruded with open cylindricalchannels 39 for receiving therein selftapping screws which serve toaffix additional components such as webs. ornamental caps. and the like.to the fence post.

FIG. 7 illustrates a different style of post for supporting railsextending at angles other than or to each other, and this angularity canbe varied in dependence upon the directions sought to be attained forthe mountings of the rails. The reenforcing web 41 may be in a straightplane extending from the inner and outer corners of the post. or thisreenforcing web may assume different contours as the same in directedand/or branched towards the slotted faces of the post, in which case theweb would assume the form of a Y-section or T-section. These internalwebs reenforce the loadbearing properties of the posts, but these arebeyond the purview of the instant invention.

The faces 10a and 10b of the extruded posts P". to which the splines aredesigned to be connected. are slotted longitudinally. as describedabove. In the case of face 10a. spline S. in dotted lines. is shownconnected thereto by a bolt and nut assembly. as described above, and asshown in detail in FIG. 4. The same type of spline may be affixed to theother face 1011. On the other hand. a different type of spline S may beaffixed to the post and FIG. 7 illustrates this mounting at face b ofthe latter. These mountings may be used interchangeably. and FIG. 8illustrates a spline S affixed to the lower end of the post P" andspline S to the upper portion of the post.

FIG. 6 illustrates the extruded length from which the spline segments Sare severed. While the main portions of the body of the splines S arecontoured similarly to those shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. with the mainsurface 3' adapted to abut the vertical surface of the post. a bulbousprojection extends from the center of the vertical surface 3' which isadapted to be slid along the slot I4 of the supporting post and to beaffixed along said slot by a frictional fit as the narrowed section ofthe protuberance engages the opposite edges of the longitudinal slot141;. Such splines may be used for mounting the picket rails at multiplelevels. or may be used in conjunction with splines which are fixed bybolts as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, and at the bottom of FIG. 8. The latterillustrates an advantageous arrangement for the mounting of sheet panelsbetween upper and lower rails and 46, the latter of which is supportedby splines which are fastened by bolts. as shown in FIG. 4. while therail 45 is affixed to splines S of the character shown in FIG. 6 and atthe right of FIG. 7. The panels 48 rest within the slots 45' and 46' ofrails 45 and 46. respectively. disposed between sloping surfaces of saidrails remote from the opposite planar faces which receive the fasteningscrews 27. These panels may extend within the longitudinal slots of anyof the posts described above to reenforce the connections between thecomponents.

The railing system in accordance with the invention lends itself ideallyto the use of pickets of extruded aluminum which may be interconnectedwith upper and lower rails to attain a tight interengagement therewithcomparable to welded structures. Such pickets may assume differentcontours of closed perimetric section of either rectangular or squarecross-section as shown in FIGS. I0 and II. respectively, or they may beof open section as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, so long as they present twoparallel sides displaced from each other with some connectiontherebetween at an outer edge or at an intermediate web therebetween. asshown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In FIGS. l0. l4 and 15. the parallel sides 50.which are spaced from each other about three-fourths inch by the endwalls 51, terminate in trapezoidally-shaped tongues 52. The sides of thelatter have a slight symmetrical inclination from about 0.400 inch atthe juncture line of the tongue and picket base of l inch. and 0.350inch at the free end of the tongue.

Similar tongue extensions 52' may be provided on the I inch squarepickets defined by rectangularly extending walls and SI, as shown inFIG. 11.

The tongues 52" in FIGS. 12 and I3. project from the parallel side walls50". which are integrated by transverse walls and 56. at intermediatepoints and ends of the side walls 52". respectively. The picketextrusions shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may include reenforcement channelsof open cylindrical formation of the nature described above.

The picket rails. with the integrated pickets therebetween. are designedto be mounted on the splines affixed to the posts in the mannerdescribed above. The secure connection between the vertical pickets andthe horizontal rails are effected by inserting the abovementionedtrapezoidally-shaped tongues on the pickets into parallel slots 60 inthe rail surface 61. which slots are displaced correspondingly. andwhich are designed to receive the tongues with a close fit especially atthe ultimate junction point between the bases of the trapezoidal tonguesand the picket sides. Preferably. the bases of the tongues are slightlylonger than the slots to attain a swaged connection between the parts inconsequence of the bending of the tongues. The wedge fit between thesetongues and the slot is so tight that when the tongues are benttransversely on the inner face of the rails. as shown in FIG. 16. thefit therebetween is equivalent to a swaged engagement between the parts.which clamps the end of the vertical picket to the horizontal rail. Theshouldered ends of the parallel sides of the picket adjacent to the baseof the trapezoidal tongues serve to hide the slots 60 and the jointbetween the parts. which complement the engagement therebetween. Also.the picket railing may be channeled. as shown in FIG. 15. so that theswaged engagement between the pickets and rail is clear and above thespace for seating the spline into which is threaded the fastening screws27 (FIG. 9).

As shown in FIG. 9. a clip C. of limited length. such as 4". or acontinuous length of an extrusion of similar section. is adapted to beaffixed to the top of the posts P as well as the others by means ofPhillips head selftapping screws 27 engaging the open cylindricalchannels 16 in the interior of the vertical posts. These clips areprovided with camming flanges onto which is snapped lengths of top railsof any desired sectional outlines.

We claim:

I. A metallic railing assembly comprising a. a vertical post of extrudedmetal having a longitudinal vertical slot extending along the centralportion of at least one face thereof.

b. a horizontal rail having one end thereof connected to said post atsaid face.

c. a discrete segment severed from a continuous extrusion having a pairof continuous screw bosses projecting symmetrically with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the extrusion from one face thereof. forinterconnecting said post and rail.

(1. said screw bosses adapted to receive self-engaging screw fastenersadapted to extend through openings in said end of said rail which is inoverlying engagement with the upper severance plane of said segment. and

e. means for securing said segment at a predetermined level of saidvertical post to adjust the plane of attachment of said horizontal railto said post.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1. including means on said continuousextrusion on the face thereof opposite said screw bosses for cooperationwith the longitudinal slot in said vertical post.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lasti mentionedsecuring means comprises a bolt fastening assembly extending through anopening in said segment at said longitudinal axis for clamping saidsegment to said post at the opposite face of said segment.

4. A device as set forth in claim 2. wherein said lastmentioned meanscomprises continuous ribs projecting slightly from the opposite face ofsaid segment. said ribs fitting along the opposite edges of saidlongitudinal vertical slot for facilitating the alignment of saidsegment at said slot.

5. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said bolt fastening meanscomprises a headed bolt having the head thereof disposed between saidscrew bosses. and a cooperating nut for engagement with the free end ofsaid bolt.

6. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said bolt fasteningassembly comprises a headed bolt having the head thereof disposedbetween said screw bosses. and a cooperating nut positioned in theinterior of said post adjacent to the slot therein.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cooperating nut isprovided with a roughened surface adjacent to said slot, to enhance thegripping effect thereof with the inner surfaces of said post whichborders said slot.

8. A device as set forth in claim 6. including a continuous groove ofpredetermined width in said firstmentioned face of said continuousextrustion at the longitudinal axis thereof for accommodating the headof said headed bolt and restraining it against rotation.

9. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lastmentioned meanscomprises a projection of bulbous cross-section on the face thereofopposite said screwbosses. with an intermediate narrowed necktherebetween for movement along said vertical slot.

10. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said lastmentioned meanscomprises a projection of bulbous cross-section diverging from thenarrowed central portion of the segment which is adapted to be embracedby the wall of the post adjacent to said vertical slot, with the innerfaces of the bulbous portions in contact with the rear face of saidlast-mentioned wall.

ll. A metallic railing assembly comprising a. a vertical post ofextruded metal having a longitudinal vertical slot extending along thecentral portions of the opposite faces thereof.

b. horizontal rails having their adjacent ends connected to said post atsaid faces for extension in opposite directions.

c. discrete segments severed from a continuous extrusion having a pairof continuous screw bosses projecting symmetrically with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the extrusion from one face thereof, forinterconnecting said post and rails. with the opposite face of each ofsaid segments in contact with said opposite faces of said vertical post.

said screw bosses adapted to receive self-engaging screw fastenersadapted to extend through openings in said adjacent ends of said railswhich are in overlying engagement with the upper severance planes ofsaid segments, and

e. a bolt fastener for rigidly connecting said segments to said verticalpost at the opposite faces thereof, comprising a headed bolt extendingfrom the outer face of one segment through an opening in the midportionof the latter and through said longitudinal slots in the opposite facesof said vertical post. and a nut for engagement with the free end ofsaid bolt extending through an opening in the midportion of the secondsegment beyond said slots. and positioned exteriorly of said post.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 1], wherein said vertical postincludes an internal longitudinal reenforcing web in a plane parallel tosaid opposed faces. said web provided with an opening for permitting thepassage of said headed bolt extending between the opposite faces of saidpost.

13. A metallic railing assembly composed of a plurality of laterallydisplaced vertical posts with vertically spaced horizontal railsextending between said posts as set forth in claim 1 for mounting aplurality of vertical metallic pickets therebetween.

a. said last-mentioned pickets being of rectangular contour, eachcomprising two parallel sides disposed in displaced parallel planes,extending in parallel relation between said vertically spaced horizontalrails at longitudinally displaced points therealong.

b. each of said picket rails having a pair of vertically alignedlongitudinal slots at said points displaced correspondingly to thedisplacement of the parallel sides of each picket.

c. each of said pickets having said sides extending transversely inparallel planes relative to the length of the rails and terminating incentrally disposed trapezoidally-shaped tongues with slightly slopingedges. and bases which are smaller than said transverse parallel sidesof said pickets. and

(1. said tongues projecting into said slots and bent into planesparallel to said picket rails and in juxtaposition to the internalpicket rail surfaces containing said slots. with the bases of saidtongues wedged into said slots. and with the edges of said transverseparallel sides adjacent to the external surfaces of said picket rails intight engagement with the latter.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said metallic picketsare of a closed perimetric contour in cross-section.

15. An assembly as set forth in clalim 13, wherein said bases of saidtongues are slightly longer than said slots to attain a swagedconnection between the pickets and rails in consequence of the bendingof said tongues at said bases.

1. A metallic railing assembly comprising a. a vertical post of extrudedmetal having a longitudinal vertical slot extending along the centralportion of at least one face thereof, b. a horizontal rail having oneend thereof connected to said post at said face, c. a discrete segmentsevered from a continuous extrusion having a pair of continuous screwbosses projecting symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe extrusion from one face thereof, for interconnecting said post andrail, d. said screw bosses adapted to receive self-engaging screwfasteners adapted to extend through openings in said end of said railwhich is in overlying engagement with the upper severance plane of saidsegment, and e. means for securing said segment at a predetermined levelof said vertical post to adjust the plane of attachment of saidhorizontal rail to said post.
 1. A metallic railing assembly comprisinga. a vertical post of extruded metal having a longitudinal vertical slotextending along the central portion of at least one face thereof, b. ahorizontal rail having one end thereof connected to said post at saidface, c. a discrete segment severed from a continuous extrusion having apair of continuous screw bosses projecting symmetrically with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the extrusion from one face thereof, forinterconnecting said post and rail, d. said screw bosses adapted toreceive self-engaging screw fasteners adapted to extend through openingsin said end of said rail which is in overlying engagement with the upperseverance plane of said segment, and e. means for securing said segmentat a predetermined level of said vertical post to adjust the plane ofattachment of said horizontal rail to said post.
 2. A device as setforth in claim 1, including means on said continuous extrusion on theface thereof opposite said screw bosses for cooperation with thelongitudinal slot in said vertical post.
 3. A device as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said last-mentioned securing means comprises a boltfastening assembly extending through an opening in said segment at saidlongitudinal axis for clamping said segment to said post at the oppositeface of said segment.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 2, wherein saidlast-mentioned means comprises continuous ribs projecting slightly fromthe opposite face of said segment, said ribs fitting along the oppositeedges of said longitudinal vertical slot for facilitating the alignmentof said segment at said slot.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 3,wherein said bolt fastening means comprises a headed bolt having thehead thereof disposed between said screw bosses, and a cooperating nutfor engagement with the free end of said bolt.
 6. A device as set forthin claim 3, wherein said bolt fastening assembly comprises a headed bolthaving the head thereof disposed between said screw bosses, and acooperating nut positioned in the interior of said post adjacent to theslot therein.
 7. A device as set forth in claim 5, wherein saidcooperating nut is provided with a roughened surface adjacent to saidslot, to enhance the gripping effect thereof with the inner surfaces ofsaid post which borders said slot.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 6,including a continuous groove of predetermined width in saidfirst-mentioned face of said continuous extrustion at the longitudinalaxis thereof, for accommodating the head of said headed bolt andrestraining it against rotation.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 2,wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a projection of bulbouscross-section on the face thereof opposite said screw-bosses, with anintermediate narrowed neck therebetween for movement along said verticalslot.
 10. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said last-mentionedmeans comprises a projection of bulbous cross-section diverging from thenarrowed central portion of the segment which is adapted to be embracedby the wall of the post adjacent to said vertical slot, with the innerfaces of the bulbous portions in contact with the rear face of saidlast-mentioned wall.
 11. A metallic railing assembly comprising a. avertical post of extruded metal having a longitudinal vertical slotextending along the central portions of the opposite faces thereof, b.horizontal rails having their adjacent ends connected to said post atsaid faces for extension in opposite directions, c. discrete segmentssevered from a continuous extrusion having a pair of continuous screwbosses projecting symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe extrusion from one face thereof, for interconnecting said post andrails, with the opposite face of each of said segments in contact withsaid opposite faces of said vertical post, said screw bosses adapted toreceive self-engaging screw fasteners adapted to extend through openingsin said adjacent ends of said rails which are in overlying engagementwith the upper severance planes of said segments, and e. a bolt fastenerfor rigidly connecting said segments to said vertical post at theopposite faces thereof, comprising a headed bolt extending from theouter face of one segment through an opening in the midportion of thelatter and through said longitudinal slots in the opposite faces of saidvertical post, and a nut for engagement with the free end of said boltextending through an opening in the midportion of the second segmentbeyond said slots, and positioned exteriorly of said post.
 12. Anassembly as set forth in claim 11, wherein said vertical post includesan internal longitudinal reenforcing web in a plane parallel to saidopposed faces, said web provided with an opening for permitting thepassage of said headed bolt extending between the opposite faces of saidpost.
 13. A metallic railing assembly composed of a plurality oflaterally displaced vertical posts with vertically spaced horizontalrails extending between said posts as set forth in claim 1 for mountinga plurality of vertical metallic pickets therebetween, a. saidlast-mentioned pickets being of rectangular contour, each comprising twoparallel sides disposed in displaced parallel planes, extending inparallel relation between said vertically spaced horizontal rails atlongitudinally displaced points therealong, b. each of said picket railshaving a pair of vertically aligned longitudinal slots at said pointsdisplaced correspondingly to the displacement of the parallel sides ofeach picket, c. each of said pickets having said sides extendingtransversely in parallel planes relative to the length of the rails andterminating in centrally disposed trapezoidally-shaped tongues withslightly sloping edges, and bases which are smaller than said transverseparallel sides of said pickets, and d. said tongues projecting into saidslots and bent into planes parallel to said picket rails and injuxtaposition to the internal picket rail surfaces containing saidslots, with the bases of said tongues wedged into said slots, and withthe edges of said transverse parallel sides adjacent to the externalsurfaces of said picket rails in tight engagement with the latter. 14.An assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said metallic pickets areof a closed perimetric contour in cross-section.